By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 4
326 cal · 40 min
Cajun Grilled Vegetable Pearl Couscous
Recipe GLPR5dc6a9ccbd1bb3
A vibrant one-pot dish combining fluffy pearl couscous with caramelized red onions and charred grilled vegetables, all seasoned with warm Cajun spices. This hearty grain-based main is finished with fresh parsley and comes together in under 40 minutes.
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Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium red onion, diced
1 cup pearl couscous
1 1/4 cups boiling chicken stock
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
4 cups mixed grilled vegetables (such as zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and asparagus), diced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced red onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften and develop light brown edges, about 4-5 minutes.
Add the pearl couscous to the pot and stir constantly for about 2 minutes, allowing the grains to toast lightly and absorb some of the oil.
Carefully pour in the boiling chicken stock, stirring well to combine. Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 8-12 minutes until the couscous is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
Remove the pot from heat and stir in the Cajun seasoning until evenly distributed throughout the couscous.
Gently fold in the diced grilled vegetables and fresh chopped parsley. Let the mixture rest, covered, for 2 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Divide among serving bowls and serve warm.
Comments
This is a fast, forgiving weeknight dish that lands well in Charlotte: pearl couscous and chicken stock are staples at every major chain, and Cajun seasoning is widely available. The grilled vegetables (assuming summer zucchini, bell peppers, and summer squash from Harris Teeter or Food Lion) cost about $3–4 total, and the complete dish runs roughly $2.50 per serving. The 40-minute stated time is honest if you're grilling fresh veg; if you're using pre-grilled vegetables from a deli case to save effort, real time is closer to 20 minutes. This works well for families and reheats respectably the next day, though grilled vegetables lose their char on day two. Fresh parsley from any major chain is a minor cost, but watch whether your store's Cajun seasoning (check McCormick or store brands at Walmart and ALDI first) is actually in stock, since specialty spice blends sometimes have gaps.
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